Napier Waller Art Prize 2018

In its inaugural year, the Napier Waller Art Prize attracted over 100 entries. The success and interest in the Prize has set a positive course for the Australian War Memorial to continue celebrating artistic excellence and raising broader awareness of the military experience.

This online exhibition of 35 shortlisted artworks showcases the diversity and talent of former and current Defence personnel.

Napier Waller Art Prize Winner

Rob Douma was announced winner of the 2018 Napier Waller Art Prize on the evening of Thursday 20 September 2018, at the opening of the Napier Waller Art Prize exhibition.

Rob Douma’s moving piece ‘Green on Blue: The betrayal of trust’ highlights an incident in 2011, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, where an Afghan soldier fired on Australian soldiers who were mentoring him, betraying their trust and killing three Australians and an interpreter and wounding nine more.

Mr Douma said art allowed him to tell the stories of Australia’s soldiers on deployment and the impact service has on their ongoing lives.

People's Choice Award Winner

The Australian War Memorial Is pleased to announce shortlisted artist Ian Cook, as the winner of the 2018 inaugural Napier Waller Art Prize People’s Choice Award for his digital artwork, Mates, for life.

Awarded $5000 cash, Cook’s Mates, for life is an emotive line drawing created for his mates that tells of the effect of service on the individual. Cook plans to donate the $5000 to support services that provide care to servicemen and women and their families who are suffering as a result of their service.